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On Tuesday, July 8, former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly turned 53, a milestone that has been met with heartfelt tributes from the cricketing world. Known affectionately as ‘Dada,’ Ganguly remains one of the most influential figures in Indian cricket.
Sourav Ganguly turns 53
From his explosive debut at Lord’s to his revolutionary leadership, which transformed the Indian cricket team, Ganguly’s legacy is etched in the history of the game. As he marks another year, the anticipation for his much-awaited biopic has only grown. The film, which promises to delve deep into his journey from a young debutant to one of the finest cricketing minds in the country, is set to be brought to life by none other than the highly acclaimed actor Rajkummar Rao.
Ganguly’s legacy is well-documented, with many crediting him for building a team that would go on to dominate world cricket for years to come. His captaincy era, especially in the early 2000s, was marked by a shift in India’s cricketing philosophy. He backed young players like Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni, who would become pillars of Indian cricket. His decision to play aggressively and embrace a fearless approach on the field has made him a legendary figure in the sport. The biopic, slated to begin production in January 2026, aims to showcase these pivotal moments of his career.
Rajkummar Rao spills beans on Ganguly’s biopic
Rajkummar Rao, one of the finest actors of his generation, has been chosen to portray the cricketing icon in his upcoming biopic. Despite being engaged in several projects, including Aditya Nimbalkar’s Netflix film, Rao has expressed his eagerness to take on the challenge of playing Ganguly. In a conversation with FilmiBeat, Rao spoke candidly about the gravity of portraying one of India’s most revered cricketing captains:
“It’s a big responsibility to play his role as he is one of the finest captains we ever had in this country. The kind of team he built, no one has ever managed to do it again till date. We still have time. We will be shooting next year sometime. I’ve not met him officially for the film, but I will spend a lot of time with him. We’ll talk a lot and I’ll keep observing him as much as I can,” Rajkumar said, acknowledging Ganguly’s monumental contributions to Indian cricket.
Rajkumar further shared that the enormity of the task excites him, as it provides an opportunity to step into the shoes of a leader who reshaped the landscape of Indian cricket. However, Rao is fully aware of the challenges this role entails. “I’m excited to play this role, but it comes with challenges, and where there is fear, there is fun,” Rajkumar concluded, highlighting the complexities of embodying such a legendary figure. While Rao is yet to officially meet Ganguly for the role, he plans to spend considerable time with him in the future to understand his mannerisms, mindset, and leadership qualities, ensuring he portrays Ganguly as authentically as possible.
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Ganguly backs Rajkummar Rao for his biopic
Ganguly, who retired from international cricket in 2008 and stepped down from the captaincy in 2023, has also recently expressed his full support for Rajkummar Rao’s casting. In an interview with PTI and NDTV, Ganguly praised the actor’s abilities and conveyed confidence in his choice for the biopic. “Rajkummar Rao is a fantastic actor. I think he’s the right person to play me. I’ll help him with everything he needs,” Ganguly said, emphasizing the trust he has in the actor’s ability to capture his essence on screen.
The biopic, directed by Vikramaditya Motwane and produced by Luv Films, is set to chronicle Ganguly’s journey from his bold debut at Lord’s to his time as the captain who transformed Indian cricket into a global powerhouse. The film will showcase the highs and lows of Ganguly’s career, his rise as a leader who challenged the norms, and his indelible impact on Indian cricket. With the pre-production already underway, fans can look forward to an in-depth look at Ganguly’s life, both on and off the field, and the challenges he faced in turning India into a formidable force in world cricket.
